Death And Dying Support

In March of this year I found this website after our dog Max had passed. I shared the story of his life and his passing and eventually told the tale of our New Old dog, Moses. Moses came from a program in Baltimore MD called Recycled Love. He was either found on the streets or was taken to the Baltimore City Animal Rescue where life looked bleek. Moses was at least 15 years old and was blind in one eye and deaf, he eventually went totally blind. Sally who is the founder of Recycled Love (a program that removes animals from high kill shelters and places them in permanent or foster homes, especially older animals) fell in love with this sweet and gentle creature and removed him hours before he was scheduled to be euthanized. So much synchronicity lead us to finding Moses. I beleive with all of my heart that Max brought us together. He knew we both needed each other. Our family lives in Harrisburg Pa and Moses was in Baltimore MD. We found his information via petfinder.com. (Moses actually end up becoming the Recyceld Love mascot as he embodied the true meaning of the organization so beautifully).

I instantly fell in love with this beautiful boy. When I first held him, his small body lay across my heart and I could feel the pain and sadness from loosing Max start to melt away. We felt connected. Moses was a small terrier mix as was Max. Although Moses was blind and deaf, he accepted his life as if nothing were out of the ordinairy. His tail wagged all the time and never growled or acted aggressive. In many ways his sweet disposition reminded me of and older Tibetan monk that I had the privelege of getting to know when they made a sand madala at a Buddhist Center in our area. He was pure love every second he was with us. We were blessed to have been his forever home. I grew so much as a person from being able to care for him and observe his peaceful and accepting life. He taught me to slow down and just Be...to be in the flow of Life.

Yesterday I had the privelege of spending the day with him while he prepared to become pure spirit. His health had been deteriorating for a few weeks possibly due to a stroke. On Friday he ate his last meal and took his last drink on Monday. I continued to get his speacial diet ready and tried to hand feed him and give him water from a spoon. By Monday night I knew I had to respectfully honor his wishes to not receive any more nourisment for his physical body. I wrapped him in my shirt as he relied on his sense of smell heavilly and I thought it might comfort him. I sat with him in the sun and held him in the full moon light on Monday. I still continued to give him water to wet his mouth from a Q-tip. I took the day off work and we spent all of Tuesday together and although Moses slept most of the time, I know he appreciated our closeness as much as I did. He fell asleep on my chest as we lay in the Fall sun and about an hour later he took his last breath. He was so peaceful as he his spirit left his feeble little body. I feel blessed beyond belief to have shared that moment with him.

Although I am heartbroken to have lost my sweet boy, I feel honored to have been his mommy. It felt connecting and spiritual to watch him accept his death so gracefully. Several people had commented on having him put to sleep earlier in the month however I didn't feel it was my place to interfere with the natural dying process. The vet told me what to look for as signs of pain or discomfort as his health got worse and while he was passing, he never had one. People don't often take the time to see the beauty and value in something old and dying. Moses was my teacher everyday and especially in his passing. He looked worn out and old but I could see the beauty in his spirit and he was LOVE.

I have no doubt that my sweet boy will lead me to another pet who needs a home. There is definetly something to be said for adopting an older animal. Yes the loss is heartbreaking but the feeling of helping another soul in their twilight years and to pass comfortably and peacefully is one I will never regret. My sadness at missing him is nothing compared to the joy of having had him in my life.

I Love you Mr. Moe....I miss your physical presence but you live always in my heart.

Old Dog...recycled Love

I wantd to share with you a story about finding love in old age. I recently wrote about the passing of our dog Max. He was not just a pet but a part of our family which I am sure everyone can relate to . He was a dog full off free Spirit and was always looking for a adventure. He had escaped our backyard on more than one ocassion last summer to explore the neighborhood but had not had the desire since. On his final adventure on the first warm spring day, he met with a Husky dog who was tied out in his yard. Max went under the fence and the Husky didn't welcome his visit. Max was shaken to death. He was an old man when we got him from the Humane Society 5 years ago....so we found some comfort in knowing he had a long and loving life. We were heart broken for his tragic death and the loss of our companion. A friend and pet communicator shared how older dogs who do not want to continue through old age and it disabilities will find a quick way to leave their physical form. I could see Max oppting for this, as he was not enjoying doggie diapers or being crated when we were not home. His quality of life had changed. So what a way to go for a dog always on an adventure! But he was doing what he loved best, exploring the world with full wonder! I still feel that Max departure from the physical world was premature....he was so full of life and love!
But I have learned as much in his death as I did from his life. He taught me to deply respcet the older and wiser among us....he taught us unconditional love....I am greatful to have shared this with my children as well. He continues to teach us every day as we remeber him.
During the week that Max passed, I had the opprotunity to spend time with Tibetan Monks who were in the United States to create a sand mandala for World healing. I drove them back and forth to the area where the mandala was being created.....we could not communicate much more than smiles and laughter...we did manage each others names by the end of the week. The oldest Monk often reached out to me and I could feel the power of Love and Spirit at work. I was able to learn about the acceptance of death as a part of Life and my grief for Max was repalced by honoring him for the wonderful "puppy boy" he was. I realized my sadness was actually me being selfish and missing his physical presence...Max is all Sirit now...it is ALL good with him! He floats above the trees and gardens and along the same paths he ran when his physical body was here. I still feel him in our home.
I was lead to a woman by a string of coincidences, who saves older dogs from high kill shelters in Baltimore MD. We spoke and I shared with her that I felt lead to call her and I shared my story including the time with the Monks. The program called Recycled Love was founded on Buddhist beliefs! We ended up exchanging emails and she introduced me to an old puppy boy named Moses (because she siad he is at least 350 . This old dog who is totally deaf and partially blind has so much love to give. He was hours away from being put to sleep when she found him. He amazes me with his determination to be in the flow of Life...I am truly touched for being asked to be his mommy for the remainder of his time on Earth. So I write this to all of you who have been so kind with sharing your own grief and healing process with me. I thank you all for helping me through my grief when Max passed and send you all so much peace and love and joy!
I sit here with Moses on my lap wrapped in blanket sleeping....I feel his warm body against my heart and it is truly healing. I miss Max terribly but I feel certain he lead us to Moses. He knew our hearts were heavy and that Moses needed a family and the power of Spirit took care of the rest.
There is something to be said for the love and wisdom of an older animal. I am thankful for Recycled Love recognizing this and giving them a chance.
To all who are experienceing the recent loss of your furry love, I send you so much love and healing energy as you begin to accept your loss. May the Universe lead you to another furry soul mate.
much love and many blessings to us all!
peace~ artchick

Missing Max

On Monday 3/21 our little dog Max left the physical world. We got him from the Human Society alomost 4 years ago to the day (Good Friday)...he was a gift to my daughter who was turning 5. Max had just arrived at the pound about 25 minutes before we fell in love with him. He had recently lost his family, who were in their later years. Our family was quite different...we had four children between the ages of 5 and 13. Max seemed to adjust to the second round of his life extremely well...he fit in perfectly with our crazy family and we all loved the companionship he provided us...he had separate relationships with each one of us.
Yesterday I experienced my first day off work without him and it was heartbreakingly empty in my home...my companion who laid with me while I did yoga, my morning routine and ate the meat from my breakfast sandwich is gone. I miss his presence.
Max had wanderlust and always managed to find a way out of our fenced in back yard. Being so small, ( about 8 pounds)he could slip through a ground hog or bunny hole in the fence. He had not gotten out of the yard since last summer but the warm spring day must have tempted him to go on an adventure. I can see him breaking out of the yard and and enjoying freedom as he had done in the past. On Max's last adventure he encountered a Husky dog who was tied out in his yard, Max must have gotten under the fence and the Husky being territorial defended his home. Max had two puntcure wounds on either side of his belly and many broken bones. We assume he was shaken to death and died quickly.
A friend called after hearing of our loss. She felt she "needed" to share a story about when she accidentally hit and killed a 13 year old black Lab last year. She was affected greatly and could not get over what had happened. A friend and a pet communicator shared that often an older animal will choose to end life quickly rather than live in old age. Our Max was at least 15 and his heath was declining. He was wearing a doggie diaper and he didn't enjoy it. So I have found some peace in knowing that Max may have chosen to leave the physical world at that time. He was surrounded by his family loving him and he had a beautiful funeral sevice. He now rests permanently in the back yard he couldn't wait to escape!
This is my first loss of a pet in my adult life and I can not believe the hurt and pain I feel. I know that when the time is right, Max will lead another furbaby to this family to be loved! Always and forever Max and his beautiful spirit will live in our hearts!
My heart goes out to all who have experienced this deep loss. Much love to you my little Max spirit!